Middlesbrough promoted to Premier League

Middlesbrough

• C. Stuani 19'

1

FT

1

Brighton & Hove Albion

• D. Stephens 55'

May 7, 2016 

Aitor Karanka's side drew 1-1 with Brighton on Saturday, a result which was enough to secure a second-placed finish in the Championship and automatic promotion

Middlesbrough secured promotion to the Premier League on Saturday, as they drew 1-1 with 10-man Brighton and Hove Albion at the Riverside Stadium.

Aitor Karanka's men knew that a point would guarantee a second-placed finish, and automatic promotion, but they looked set to take all three when Christian Stuani opened the scoring in the 19th minute.

Dale Stephens hit back to give Brighton - who themselves needed to win to overtake Boro - hope of pipping their opponents to the post, as he headed in from a deep free-kick.

However, Stephens was then sent off for a high tackle on Gaston Ramirez, which left the Uruguayan with a horrific gash on his leg, and required both a stretcher and oxygen.

Middlesbrough have been playing Championship football since their relegation in 2009, and will take part in a Premier League that has been significantly enriched by the 2016-17 television deal, which stands at a staggering £5.136 billion.
Karanka raised eyebrows when he left Jordan Rhodes and Stewart Downing out of the starting line-up, but it was the two men who replaced them who combined to give Boro the lead after 19 minutes.

Ramirez's free-kick was headed back across goal by David Nugent, allowing Stuani to tap home from point-blank range. Stuani and Ramirez both came close to a second as Boro continued to dominate the first half, but Brighton made them pay for their profligacy just after the break when Stephens turned a looping header beyond Dimitrios Konstantopoulos to equalise.
Stephens was then involved in a heated spat with Ramirez and was sent off shortly afterwards after catching the Uruguayan on the shin with a raised boot - a challenge which resulted in a tearful Ramirez being carried from the pitch on a stretcher.
Nerves became frayed around the Riverside as Brighton pushed forward for a lifeline during eight minutes of injury time, but Hughton's side must now settle for a place in the play-offs against Sheffield Wednesday.